Ed Sheeran's underwear and other clothing to be auctioned for children's hospices charity

Tanya Mercer has been to take a lot at some of Ed Sheeran's clothes.

Ed Sheeran superfans can get closer to the singer-songwriter than ever before - as dozens of pairs of his boxer shorts go up for auction.

The 32-year-old singer has donated clothes from his wardrobe - including trousers, jumpers and underwear - to East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

Nearly 450 items have been handed over including 149 pairs of boxer shorts, half of which have been worn by the singer.

The haul will be auctioned off, mostly on the charity's eBay site in a bid to raise thousands of pounds which will go towards helping families and carers for children across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

The singer-songwriter has been an ambassador for the charity since 2014 and thedonations were delivered by a member of his team to the Each shop in Framlingham.

Each plans to release a total of 186 items, including 27 pairs of boxer shorts, during three separate auctions - the first of which begins on Tuesday.

Some of the items being auctioned off include a baseball cap and tie dye jumper. Credit: East Anglia's Children's Hospice/ NIQ Brandbank

Some 62 items will be available in the first tranche, with the next two auctions going live on 26 November and 3 December, for seven days each.

Another 239 will then be listed in a second sale early next year, with the remaining 20 being reserved for new Each shop openings.

Full list of items donated by Ed Sheeran:

  • 26 plain t-shirts

  • 16 t-shirts with a logo or design

  • 6 premium t-shirts

  • 18 polo shirts

  • 3 plain jumpers

  • 8 jumpers with a logo and design

  • 9 premium jumpers

  • 11 pairs of trousers

  • 3 jackets

  • 5 belts

  • 6 onesies

  • 69 bags of accessories

  • 73 pairs of socks

  • 149 pairs of boxer shorts, either worn and washed or brand new

  • 21 pairs of shorts

  • 1 pair of shoes

  • 14 hats

  • 7 Ipswich Town items

The charity said the starting price per item would be £9.99 and the listings would be scheduled to start around 8pm.

The clothes have not been washed or ironed since they were donated, and all sales will have a signed letter of authenticity.

Just some of the items that are being auctioned off belonging to the singer Ed Sheeran.

Kevin Clements, Each director of fundraising and communications, said: “It’s anextraordinary gesture and extremely kind of Ed.

“His generosity will raise thousands of pounds for our wonderful charity.

“Despite his incredible success and sky-high profile, he remains a loyal championand we’re eternally grateful for his support.

Scott Campbell and Bethany Watchman of Each with some of the items that will be auctioned. Credit: NIQ Brandbank/East Anglia's Children's Hospice

“We realise how lucky we are. It’s invaluable and helps raise the profile of the vital care we provide to local children and families.

“He has fans all over the world and these donations will undoubtedly cause a stir.It’s going to be exciting and fascinating to see how things pan out.”

An array of items are now on auction to raise money for the charity.

The Suffolk-based singer is an ambassador for the charity, and has donated other items including a drum kit which was auctioned at a gala fundraiser in Cambridge in 2016 and sold for £2,650. The evening raised more than £262,000.